Atlanta Brewery Tours: Top Picks for Relocators

The top brewhouses new-to-the-city beer lovers must try

Photo courtesy of Reformation Brewery.

Atlanta is a melting pot of different cultures, foods and, now more than ever, craft beer. While the city hasn’t historically been known for its local beer, the scene has steadily grown over the last decade to include a range of brewpubs, microbreweries and now even nationally-recognized names. Many of these offer weekly tours and tastings, perfect for a weekend afternoon getting to know your new city.

In even better news for beer lovers, starting Sept. 1, 2017, breweries and distilleries will be able to sell limited quantities directly to customers. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 85 into law on May 8, which changes state law to allow state law to allow breweries to sell 3,000 barrels of their beer per year directly to customers, and local distilleries to directly sell 500 barrels of spirits per year. The new law also allows Georgians to purchase up to a case of beer from a brewery and three 750 ml bottles of liquor from a distiller for off-site consumption.

Now that you know the rules, head to one of these local favorites and check out the map below to discover a brewery in your neck of the woods.

SweetWater Brewery has grown into the biggest brewery in Atlanta since it began back in 1997. Known for their range of ales and hoppy IPAs, their SweetWater 420 IPA is a local favorite and the namesake of 420Fest, an annual music festival held on the weekend closest to Earth Day in Centennial Olympic Park. SweetWater offers 20-minute tours of the brewery every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Located near downtown Woodstock, Reformation Brewery offers a variety of ales and robust porters in a uniquely family-friendly atmosphere with regular live music and both outdoor and indoor kid-friendly games. Brewery tours cost $10 for the Liberated Tour (does not include tastings and can be redeemed for take home beer only) and $15 for the Keeping Tour (includes a menu of tasting and/or take home souvenir beer. Tastings take place on Thursday from 5:30-8 p.m., Friday from 6-9:30 p.m., Saturday from 1-9 p.m. and Sunday from 2- 5 p.m.

From golden ales to hoppy lagers and even barleywines, this southern Atlanta brewer housed in a former jailhouse is known for its reliable year-round beers and exciting seasonal releases. The Drink in the Clink tour includes 36 ounces of samples, a souvenir tasting glass and an in-depth tour of the brewery and the brewing process for $12. The Post Bail Options tour offers a mixed six-pack of beer from the fridge or a growler fill and a tour of the brewery for $10. Tours are offered on Thursdays and Fridays from 5:30-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2-6 p.m.

Near the hustle and bustle of Atlantic Station, Monday Night Brewing invites you to tie one on with their “weeknight” theme – focusing on beers that are balanced, flavorful and pair well with food. The casual indoor-outdoor environment is an inviting happy hour spot, with brewery tours and beer tastings open to the public every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Tours cost $12 and include a souvenir pint glass, six 6-ounce beer sample and a tour of the brewery. Insider Tip: if it’s within a day of your birthday, the tour is free.

More of a beer festival fan?Atlanta Beer Festivals offers year-round themed events throughout the city, often highlighting the latest and most exciting developments from the city’s brewers. For a full list of upcoming ABF festivals, click here.

As always, remember to drink responsibly and have a designated driver. The consumption and purchase of beer by anyone under 21-years of age is against the law.